Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

As the Jade Emperor mentioned dispatching Heavenly Soldiers and Generals to escort these kings back, Jiang Liu realized that the Jade Emperor indeed came to stir things up.

Naturally, Jiang Liu stepped forward, expressing that the Great Tang would naturally handle this matter well and there was no need for the Jade Emperor to intervene.

"If the Great Tang could truly ensure foolproof safety, the accident with the King of the Tiansha Nation wouldn't have occurred!" the Jade Emperor glanced at Jiang Liu and said, firmly grasping this point.

"Amitabha, indeed, an accident happened, and it's understandable, but I believe that after this incident, the protective forces of the Great Tang will become even more foolproof! On this point, Your Majesty should not worry!" Jiang Liu insisted firmly.

"The facts are all here; your promise is nothing but empty words!" The Jade Emperor, holding onto the fact that an accident had already occurred, naturally wouldn't let go easily.

With these words, the Jade Emperor paused slightly before continuing, "Moreover, Xuanzang, you are a disciple of the Buddhist Sect, and you bear the significant duty of the Journey to the West for Scriptures. I think, for now, your focus should be on your work of the Journey to the West for Scriptures, shouldn't it?"

"Your Majesty's words are incorrect!"

Jiang Liu seriously stared at the Jade Emperor and said, "Although I am a person of the Buddhist Sect, I am also the Imperial Brother of His Majesty the Emperor of Great Tang. As the saying goes, brothers together can defeat tigers. With matters troubling the Great Tang, how can this humble monk stay out of it?"

A dialogue among the bigwigs!

Listening to the argument between Jiang Liu and the Jade Emperor, those around found themselves unable to interject. Naturally, ordinary people are not qualified to speak in the disputes among such high power.

However, seeing Jiang Liu actually arguing with the Jade Emperor based on reason, these kings secretly marveled: Who would have thought that Master Xuanzang is so formidable!

"Imperial Brother, perhaps you should say a bit less?" Seeing the argument between Jiang Liu and the Jade Emperor, with no end in sight, Li Shimin couldn't help but step forward and interject.

Among those present, only Li Shimin had the qualifications to step forward and speak.

"Amitabha…" Before the Jade Emperor, Jiang Liu would still argue based on reason, but before Li Shimin, Jiang Liu acted very obedient, chanting a Buddhist phrase, he fell silent.

"Jade Emperor Your Majesty…" Having Jiang Liu cease speaking, Li Shimin stepped forward and said to the Jade Emperor, "This matter of escort is Your Majesty's goodwill, but most importantly, those being escorted should feel at ease. Therefore, let's see the wishes of these kings themselves, shall we?"

The idea suggested by Li Shimin caused the Jade Emperor to think slightly, showing no intention to refuse.

Besides, regarding his own prestige, the Jade Emperor was indeed confident.

Thus, he nodded, agreeing to Li Shimin's suggestion.

"Gentlemen..."

Following Li Shimin's proposal and with the Jade Emperor having nodded and agreed, Jiang Liu turned his head at this moment, his gaze falling on these kings, and he spoke, "If for the return journey, whether to let this humble monk arrange for you or to let the Jade Emperor arrange, what will be your choice?"

Jiang Liu's words left the kings present glancing at each other, none in hurry to speak.

They clearly witnessed the argument between Jiang Liu and the Jade Emperor just now, and choosing one will undoubtedly offend the other. Making a choice during this moment, how should they choose?

Even though there's a saying, "A local official is not as capable as the present one," the Jade Emperor being the Lord of the Three Realms is like a local official, while Li Shimin now is the present Clan Leader of the Human Clan...

Complying with one will offend the other, who can easily make a choice?

Moreover, who will be the first to step forward and choose?

Seeing these kings glance at each other with no one stepping forward to decide, the Jade Emperor frowned slightly.

As the Lord of the Three Realms, having agreed to dispatch Heavenly Soldiers and Generals to ensure their safety, in theory, they should be gratefully choosing him, right?

But now? Not a single person is making a choice?

"As the saying goes, 'know honor, and then have courage.' Though an incident occurred with the King of the Tiansha Nation, more people safely arrived at Chang'an City, and the merits outweigh the demerits. I think it's better not to trouble two masters, and let Holy Monk Xuanzang and the Great Tang be responsible for my safety…"

Just when these kings were caught in a dilemma, not knowing how to choose, suddenly, a voice spoke up, making a choice.

Hearing this stand-out express support for the Great Tang, naturally, everyone looked over.

Seeing the speaker, the corners of Jiang Liu's mouth slightly curved, showing no surprise.

As for the Jade Emperor, his expression naturally became even more unpleasant.

The one who spoke wasn't someone else, but the King of Miefa Nation!

This escort mission had all been executed by the Ming Sect's experts, something the Jade Emperor was aware of!

And with a Ming Sect branch in Miefa Nation, the harmonious relation between Miefa Nation and the Ming Sect was also apparent to the Jade Emperor!

At this crucial moment, the King of Miefa Nation standing up clearly expressing support for the Great Tang seemed reasonable?

"What the King of Miefa Nation said is reasonable. We still need to trouble the Emperor of Great Tang for protection on the return journey!" Following the words of the King of Miefa Nation, the King of the Treasure Elephant Country also spoke.

Back then, when the King of Treasure Elephant Country's daughter had an incident with the Yellow-Robed Monster transformed by Kuimu Wolf, Jiang Liu used a strategy to deceive the heavens and the sea, allowing Kuimu Wolf and the Princess to reunite. This favor is certainly remembered by the King of Treasure Elephant Country.

"We also request the Emperor of Great Tang to take on this burden!" Immediately following, the King of Black Chicken Country also spoke up.

Originally thrown into a well and his identity occupied by a demon, it was thanks to Jiang Liu that he was resurrected. The King of Black Chicken Country naturally owes Jiang Liu a great favor.

As the saying goes, setting an example is crucial.

At this critical moment, after the kings of Miefa Nation, Treasure Elephant Country, and Black Chicken Country spoke up, other kings began to express their willingness to be escorted by the Emperor of Great Tang.

Initially, only the King of Tiansha Nation encountered a disaster, with just one percent accident rate; these kings still have great trust in Great Tang.

If they support the Jade Emperor now, they will certainly offend the Emperor of Tang. Why bother?

They are merely echoing support; even if the Jade Emperor gets upset, his anger won't be directed at them, right?

Seeing more and more kings speak up, Jiang Liu couldn't hide his smile.

What does it matter if the Jade Emperor is high above; not only do I possess strength, but I also have connections.

When both sides can do almost the same things, the one with connections naturally holds the absolute advantage.

Although no one speaks it out loud, these kings understand a truth: escorting by Great Tang has a one percent accident rate, but who can guarantee that escorting by the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals would be absolutely incident-free?

As opposed to Jiang Liu and Li Shimin's joy, the Jade Emperor's heart naturally sank.

With a resounding slap, the Jade Emperor felt his face burning from embarrassment.

Despite making an entrance that led countless people to bow and greet him, what does that matter? At the critical moment, the Mortal World kings choose the Emperor of Tang, not him.

"Your Majesty the Jade Emperor, thank you for your kindness, but matters concerning the Human Clan should be handled by us. We appreciate your intention..."

After these kings spoke one after another, Li Shimin respectfully bowed to the Jade Emperor, humbling himself greatly.

Even though Li Shimin carried himself humbly without showing any arrogance, in the eyes of the Jade Emperor, whatever he says or does now portrays the stance of a victor.

Though feeling gloomy inside, expressing anger at this moment is naturally impossible.

Taking a deep breath, the Jade Emperor tugged at the corners of his mouth and forced a smile, saying, "Since you have such confidence, indeed, this is good. I'm very pleased. However, I won't disturb your grand event anymore; many things are waiting for me to handle, and thus I shall leave!"

At this point, with a burning face and disgrace, the Jade Emperor naturally had no intention of staying longer.

"Farewell to Your Majesty the Jade Emperor!" Li Shimin had no intention to hold him, respectfully bowing him out!

"Farewell to Your Majesty the Jade Emperor!" Following Li Shimin's actions, the other kings and civil and military ministers also spoke in unison.

The farewell words sounded like mocking laughter to the Jade Emperor.

The Jade Emperor boarded his sedan chair, drawn by nine dragons, and soared away...

Once the Jade Emperor left, this grand gathering of a hundred kings naturally continued.

For Jiang Liu and Li Shimin, with the Jade Emperor causing a stir, this celebration seemed even more extraordinary!

Things have dual aspects; although the Jade Emperor's interference signified a crisis, resolving this crisis made the event all the more prestigious.

Just like love, it becomes more solid after withstanding storms.

Similarly, with Jiang Liu daring to confront the Jade Emperor head-on and the power demonstrated by these kings, they all witnessed the might of Great Tang firsthand.

For these kings, the existence of Immortals and Buddhas was originally high above; but now, they are astounded to discover that even the Human Clan's Great Tang possesses such formidable power.

The celebration was unprecedentedly lively, not only within the Imperial Palace but throughout Chang'an City.

For the citizens of Chang'an City, they didn't understand why the Jade Emperor came; they thought the grand gathering of a hundred kings had drawn the Jade Emperor's personal blessing and were naturally thrilled one by one.

As the celebration reached its peak, the main act began.

Li Shimin stood up with the Kongdong Seal in both hands.

At the same time, all eyes were fixed on the Kongdong Seal...